Okay you guys! I know it's been a while since I posted anything but I have had a rough year and want to let you know that I am going to try and work harder at posting more chapters of my stories but I have been working on this one for a while and I hope you enjoy it!
Stranger and the Ranger Ch. 1
It was a dark stormy night in the city of Rivendell, city of the elves; Immortal creatures that are blessed with long life and youthful appearance. This night in particular was strange because the storm came suddenly and left minutes later. Leaving nothing but some scattered tree limbs and some stray leaves almost like the storm never happened.
The people of Rivendell were none the wiser about the sudden start and end of the storm other than one who was sitting at the desk of his study in-front of the window. He looked up, focused his narrowed his eyes on the trees when the wind and rain died suddenly. He stands from his chair and rubs his forehead before sighing. "It has begun. The time for destiny is upon us and the return of the king is approaching." He said before looking over the maps and diagrams that littered his desk before laying his eyes on a small black box sitting on the window sill. He reached for the box and opened it to reveal a smooth silver ring with a single emerald laid in the twisting metal with elvish script engraved. The man, known as Lord Elrond, closes the box and returns it to the window sill before blowing out the candles on his desk and leaving the room.
Deep in the forest behind the city laid a young woman who is about to go on the adventure of her life, and hopefully find love along the way.
The next morning
Elrond walked down the halls of his palace and stopped when he saw a tall brunette man standing by the fountain looking off into the distance. He approached the man and laid a hand on his shoulder with a smile. "Aragorn, good morning my friend" he said and Aragorn tensed when he felt the presence of his hand but relaxed when he saw who it was. Aragorn is tall with shoulder length brunette hair that always looks like its greasy and striking grey eyes that bore into your soul. "My lord Elrond, you startled me. Good morning." Aragorn said and bowed before resting his hand on his sword out of habit. "I have a mission for you this morning. Because you know the forests better than most of Rivendell, I would like you to scout and look for anything out of place in the forest. I suggest going north." Elrond said and Aragorn looked confused for a minute before Elrond smiled. "I believe it is something I might have seen last night that has me worried and would like some peace of mind. Would you do me this favor my friend?" Elrond asked and Aragorn smiled before bowing and walking toward the stables. Elrond looked out to the trees one more time before walking away from the courtyard and through the expansive halls of Rivendell.
With Aragorn
The ranger walks into the forest with bow at the ready just in case and scans the forest canopy and floor to look for anything out of place. He walked for a few hours without seeing anything amiss until he spots a tree limb that had split from the tree above it and was lying over a pile of leaves. He approached the pile of leaves carefully and stopped when he heard moaning. He waited until the moaning stopped and approached it closer and closer until he was close enough to lift the limb and discover a young woman with red hair and dark brown eyes.
She looked up at him confused and went to rub her eyes. "Man I must have hit my head really hard. Excuse me sir, can you tell me where I am?" she asked carefully getting up but fell back on her butt with a look of pain stretching across her face. "My lady are you in need of some help?" Aragorn asked putting his bow away and offering his hand for her to stand. She smiled and grabbed his hand before he carefully pulled her to her feet. She came up carefully and hobbled on one foot. "It looks like you could use some healing my lady…." He started before realizing he never caught her name. She seemed to catch on and she blushed. "Oh, my name's Elizabeth and what's yours?" she asked and he smiled. "I am Aragorn. It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Elizabeth. Come, we shall see that your injury is looked at" Aragorn said and draped her arm over his shoulder and helped her hop through the forest. "We have two hours before we reach Rivendell, would you like to take breaks along the way?" Aragorn asked and she sighed with a smile. "No, I'll be fine. I appreciate your help Aragorn." Elizabeth said and they slowly made their way through the forest.
At the city of Rivendell
Aragorn and Elizabeth made their way into the city slowly and Elizabeth had to stop and rest a little bit. She looked around as she sat on a stone bench and smiled in amazement at the beautiful city. "Wow, this place is beautiful. Is this really where you live?" she asked and he nodded with a smile as he sat next to her. He lifted her foot up on his lap and she cringed. "OW! What are you trying to do, rip my foot off?" she exclaimed and he chuckled before slipping off her brown leather boot and examining her ankle, which was swollen. "It looks like you sprained it my lady. Did you fall out of a tree?" he asked carefully probing the skin around the ankle as she cringed and tried to get her foot out of his steel grip. "I don't remember, the last thing I remember is taking a walk through the woods at home and then waking up to see you hovering over me." Elizabeth said after giving up her attempt to get free. "I should take you to Lord Elrond. He will be able to have his healers take care of your ankle, although I do not recommend wearing these boots again. They are not very practical." Aragorn said pointing to the heel of her boot. She blushed and smiled sheepishly. "But they're my favorite, and they go great with my outfit" she said and he rolled his eyes. He slipped her boot back on, and helped her stand to her feet. "Come, Lord Elrond is expecting you" he said before they made their way up many stairs and down long hallways before coming in front of a wooden door. Aragorn knocked and a "Come in" came from inside. He opened the door and discovered not only was Lord Elrond in his study but a woman that seemed to have a glow that radiated around her. Her long brown hair stretched past her waist and wore a pure white dress with a silver circlet atop her head. "Lady Arwen, I was not expecting to see you here" Aragorn said bowing slightly and Elizabeth caught onto the hint so she bowed as well.
They both straightened and Elrond turned from his desk and smiled. "Ah Lord Aragorn, I see you have brought our guest. Arwen if you would excuse us" he said to the woman she bowed as he kissed her forehead. She left the room shortly after that and shared a look with Aragorn before disappearing from the room and down the hall.
Lord Elrond's study
Elrond turned from his desk and smiled. "Aragorn, you may step outside while I speak to Lady Elizabeth." Elrond said and Elizabeth looked rather terrified. "My Lord" Aragorn said and mouthed 'Good luck' to the young woman before leaving the room. Once the door was closed Elizabeth sank into a chair slightly out of fear and out of pain because she couldn't stand anymore. Elrond pulled a cushioned stool over to her and sat in front of her. "So, tell me about yourself while I tend to your ankle" Elrond said while freeing his hands from his long drooping sleeves. He pulled her boot off of her foot and propped her foot on his knee. "My name is Elizabeth Rose, I'm twenty five and I love to draw and paint in my free time. I have always had an interest in weapons like swords and bows and arrows. I would like to learn how to use a sword but I never had the chance to learn growing up because we moved a lot….what are you doing?" she asked while his hands hovered over her swollen red ankle. Slowly her ankle became less red and the swelling went down.
Suddenly she could feel a pop and she yelped before it felt much better. "Whoa, that's cool thanks" she said and he helped her put her boot back on. "You are most welcome. Now, let me tell you a story….. It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarf lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who, above all else, desire power. But they were, all of them, deceived, for another ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring, to control all others. And into this ring he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life, but what the races of men did not know is that a tenth ring was made. This ring was made in secret for it was told to be more powerful than any of the rings that were forged, even the ring of power. Sauron has yet to find out about this ring for if he does he will stop at nothing until the person who wields it is dead and the ring is in his possession. Legend foretells of a stranger from another realm that can wield it and control its power. Now why am I telling you this you ask?" Elrond asked as he stood and straightened out his robes before walking to his window sill. "Because that very ring is not lost in legend but is here, and I believe you are the one that legend tells of wielding such power" Elrond said carrying the case over to the shocked red head and sat down again. "Me? Why would I be in your legend? I'm just a nobody." Elizabeth said and Elrond smiled. "I know of the world you come from, I know how you lived and I can assure you that the valar brought you to this world for a reason. I have the gift of foresight and I anticipated your arrival so I knew that you were the one to wield this ring and change the course of history before war falls upon Middle Earth." Elrond said and she looked down at the open box and her eyes went wide.
"Whoa, that is one beautiful ring. Are you sure that I'm supposed to wear it? I do not believe that I am special enough for such a treasure" Elizabeth said as she held the ring box in her hands. Elrond closed the box and closed her fingers around it while holding her hands in his. She looked up at him and he smiled.
"You would not be here if not for this very reason. I have faith in you, and I know in time you will see your potential for the destiny you were chosen for. Now, I will have someone escort you to your room so you may wash up and dress in more comfortable attire. You will be my guest of honor at dinner" Elrond said and she pulled the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her left middle finger. A rush of wind whipped through the study, blowing things around and Elizabeth glowed briefly before the wind died down and the paper settled back on the desk. "Whoa, what was that?" she asked looking at the emerald that glowed slightly. "I believe the ring has bonded to you. The effects of wearing the ring are not known so please be careful when you wear it. If you need to talk about anything, my door is always open." Elrond said and she nodded before standing and bowing to Elrond before leaving the study only to see Aragorn sitting on the half wall outside the door.
In Rivendell
"Oh, hi Aragorn" Elizabeth said and he smiled before jumping off the wall and standing before her. "How did it go?" he asked as they walked down the hall and past some fountains. "I believe it went ok. I was just telling Elrond about me and he told me that he saw me coming. He knew I was going to come here, how does he know that?" Elizabeth asked as she waved her hands around. "Lord Elrond has been gifted with the gift of foresight. That means he can see glimpses into the future, for the future is never set in stone. It is ever changing, ever shifting and so not all his predictions are true but this one was." Aragorn said and they paused at a wooden door. "Here is your room. I was told to escort you here and come get you for dinner. I will return to collect you in a few hours….." he said before turning and walking away.
Elizabeth looked at the retreating form of the ranger and sighed before opening the door and smiling at what greeted her.